Together for A Sustainable Future

From Earth Day to every day, make sustainable practices a daily habit

On April 22nd, as we celebrated Earth Day, I was proud to see our properties across the globe take the charge in joining the world’s largest environmental movement. On this day, I am again solemnly reminded of the pressing need to push towards greater sustainability and the preservation of our planet, not only for all of us living here in the present but for future generations to come. The urgency of this challenge transcends industries and impacts every sector and individual, emphasizing the need for collective action to safeguard this beautiful place we call home. ?

It was with this in mind that we embarked on our social impact journey, Rosewood Impacts, last year. Key to this journey is our environmental-success pillar: Rosewood Sustains, which was embraced and amplified by so many of my colleagues on Earth Hour and Earth Day this year.?

Give an Hour for Earth

Sometimes, the smallest actions can deliver the loudest message. Turning off lights for Earth Hour is a great example of how a simple action can spark a movement toward a more sustainable future.

Since 2007, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has spearheaded the global Earth Hour initiative every March. Last year, 7,000 cities across 190 countries and regions participated – a staggering 97% of the world’s territories voicing their collective support for a greener tomorrow.

This year's Earth Hour saw the illumination on many of our hotels’ iconic facades and lobbies turned off or dimmed, sending a powerful message of support for the urgent need to address climate change. This singular hour of darkness encapsulates the essence and obligation of every individual in saving the planet, and beyond this symbolic gesture lies a deeper purpose – to rekindle humanity’s relationship with nature. When the lights eventually flickered back on it is with the hope that those who have witnessed and participated in the movement have a newfound sense of responsibility towards our environment. I have been deeply moved by the enthusiasm and level of participation across our properties this year, who created many moments of reflection for associates and guests alike to contemplate the impact of their actions on the planet.

Every night, Rosewood Guangzhou lights up the iconic skyline of a city with a population of over 15 million people. Yet, on this particular occasion, the hotel's highly-recognizable fa?ade was shrouded in darkness, in solidarity with the worldwide efforts to combat climate change.

Invest in Our Planet?

Since its inception in 1970, Earth Day has rallied individuals around the world to take collective action in support of our planet’s future. At Rosewood Hotel Group, we are committed to investing in a sustainable and equitable Earth for all. This year, I am proud to see our properties across the globe stepping up to create a diverse range of programs and experiences for our guests, associates, and local communities, to encourage greater awareness and sense of environmental stewardship. ?

The essence of Rosewood Sustains is reflected in the many innovative Earth Day initiatives taking place across our properties, including repurposing food waste, hosting clean-ups and volunteering events, developing eco-conscious menus that encourage conscious consumption, educating the community on local ecosystems, and even discovering new methods that benefit our planet such as regenerative agriculture. These events were made possible thanks to the involvement of over 1,276 associates across our properties, and I am incredibly proud of the passion and dedication to making a positive impact.?

We have elected to embed sustainable practices into our operations, and it is inspiring to see many of our properties build towards these goals for the long term, especially in collaboration with both local and global partners.

At the core of our mission is a deep commitment to serving our communities as a part of our dedication to Relationship Hospitality – we believe in empowering and investing in our people, recognizing that they are our biggest strength in propelling our mission forward and the key to our path to a greener future. Reflecting this ideal, I would like to acknowledge the efforts our properties have put into supporting and giving back to their localities.?

An Enduring Commitment

Our dedication to sustainability and the environment goes beyond just Earth Day. We are constantly innovating and seeking new ways to advance our environmental stewardship at our hotels and in our local communities.

The urgency of climate action has never been clearer. In 2021, nearly 200 countries signed the Glasgow Climate Pact to drive forward climate action and limit the rise of global temperature to 1.5 degrees. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has emphasized that surpassing this limit would have catastrophic consequences for our planet. ?

I have talked about our responsibility to empower our communities and our commitment to promoting circular hospitality and environmental sustainability. As part of the Rosewood Sustains initiative, we have built these goals into our Group strategy. By 2025, the Rosewood Hotel Group plans to divert 70% of our waste away from landfills and incinerators to more renewable resources, reduce energy use by 25%, water consumption by 25%, and eliminate 100% of customer-facing disposable plastics across all of our properties. We are also pledging to attain a 50% carbon-neutral status by 2035 and complete carbon-neutral status by 2050.

Once again, I want to commend our associates for their participation and outstanding efforts this Earth Day. These creative and impactful initiatives will lay the foundation for a more sustainable future. I firmly believe that we are at a pivotal moment, with the potential as individuals to make a significant impact, and the power to take on a much larger role in shaping the future of our ecosystems. Let us harness this momentum and propel ourselves toward a more sustainable tomorrow.